James Albert Cole 1877 - 1937

COLE, CALLAGHAN, COYNE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/30/2022 at 20:57:08

The Anthon Herald
7 April 1937

"Following an illness of almost a year, J.A. "Al" Cole, 60, widely-known and highly-respected Grant Twp. farmer, passed away at his home southwest of Anthon at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, April 4, 1937. Death was caused by cancer. Mr. Cole underwent an operation at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota in September 1936, but it failed to restore him to health. After that there was nothing known to medical science that could be done for him as the dreaded disease spread, and he gradually grew weaker until the end came peacefully Sunday morning. There was a constant stream of visitors, day and night, to his bedside during the last stages of his illness, as relatives and friends from far and near came to offer consolation to this highly esteemed man, his wife and his family.

James Albert Cole was born of James and Mary Cole near Blencoe, Monona Co., Iowa, January 27, 1877. The first fourteen years of his life were spent in that vicinity, and then the Cole family went west, residing in Idaho and Washington for five years. In 1896 "Al" returned to Iowa and was employed on farms in Grant Twp. for a time. Later he went to farming himself.

Mr. Cole was married February 12, 1901, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Anthon to Miss Anna Coyne. Four children were born to them, and all survive their father.

In 1907 Mr. Cole purchased a farm of 120 acres in Grant Twp. and ten years later he added an 80-acre tract to it. The remainder of his life was spent on that farm. At the time of his death he had lived on the same farm 30 years and in Grant Twp. for 41 years.

Taking an active part in public affairs, Mr. Cole served as a Grant Twp. trustee for 21 years, holding that office at the time of his death. He also spent six years on the township school board. In the spring of 1936, Mr. Cole embarked on his first venture in county politics and became a candidate for the Democratic nomination for supervisor of the 4th district in the June primary election. He made an excellent showing, but was defeated by Robert F. Driscoll of Danbury, a former supervisor, who in the general election lost to S.J. Francis, Republican incumbent and a former Grant Twp. resident. On several occasions Mr. Cole served on the grand and petit juries in district court at Sioux City. He was a devout Catholic and belonged to the Knights of Columbus for many years.

Survivors include the widow, Mrs. Anna Cole; four sons, Bernard, John and Raphael of Anthon, and Leo of Antioch, California; three brothers, George of Coleridge, Nebraska; and Fred and Earl both of Oto; and a half-brother, Dan Calhoun of Coleridge. His brother Frank and a sister preceded him in death.

A man of good Christian character, high principles, honest and trustworthy, Mr. Cole held an unusually high place in the esteem of his fellow men. Blessed with a very friendly and kindly disposition he made friends readily. One of the tributes frequently paid him was that he did not have an enemy. A lover of music, Mr. Cole had an orchestra of his own for many years, and it was through his playing at dances in all parts of Woodbury County and the adjacent territory that his circle of friends became so unusually large.

The funeral, held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday from St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Anthon, was the largest held from that church in a number of years and one of the biggest in the history of the parish. It was a magnificent tribute to the respect in which Mr. Cole was held, the Rev. D.K. Hurley, who officiated at the requiem mass, stated in his eulogy of the deceased. Pallbearers were Clarence Hostetter, William Willmott, John Schoberg and Elmer Phillips. Burial was in Mt. St. Joseph Cemetery under direction of Hudgel's Funeral Service."